Rare chance is Nicked

MARCUS BENT might have managed the stunning feat of scoring just 10 seconds into his introduction to Wednesday's Carling Cup tie, but even he can't match the ratio of the most prolific striker currently on Everton's books.

MARCUS BENT might have managed the stunning feat of scoring just 10 seconds into his introduction to Wednesday's Carling Cup tie, but even he can't match the ratio of the most prolific striker currently on Everton's books.

Nick Chadwick has managed one senior goal in his half an Everton appearance this season. And it wasn't a flash in the pan. The youngster scored one goal in his two senior starts last season - and three in six fleeting appearances two years ago.

Which made his absence from even the substitutes' bench on Wednesday all the harder to fathom.

The Goodison coaches may think Chadwick does not have the quality for an enduring Premiership career, but he does have enthusiasm, honesty, a proven eye for a scoring chance - and youth, on his side.

Is it just me, or would both Chadwick and Everton have benefitted more from having his presence on the substitutes' bench,, rather than a 34-year-old winding down to the end of a lucrative contract?

Kevin Campbell deserves the undying gratitude of every Evertonian for his magnificent contributions from April 1999 through to the end of the, ahem, magnificent seventh season.

But surely now is the time to be looking to the future.

David's hidden talents >>>>

David's hidden talents>

SEE if you can spot the deliberate error below.

"Everton and Preston meet on Wednesday night, the first time the clubs have met in a competitive fixture since January 2000.